Adaptive Cruise Control First time FAIL...

[glpuckett]

During a long Freeway drive to LAX I experienced an alarming surprise when my "Adaptive Cruise Control" failed to brake. First, I always drive being prepared to brake, but I admit after many months I have gained both trust and confidence in the system and think of it as a 2nd set of eyes always watching the road. I've also learned to feel when and how the system begins to brake, so when it didn't I was surprised but ready.

For the record I have the First Edition Hybrid Maverick with just over 13K miles and I've had (1) repair that may or may not have anything to do with this problem. Back in Aug'22 I had my front windshield warranty replaced for a "Stress crack".

Situation:
I was in stop-and-go traffic for ~15min with the A.C.C. system set at 20mph (as I've done many times before) and everything was working great as normal. Then all of a sudden as I was slowly coming up on a Tesla and expecting my Mav to begin braking... it didn't. With my foot over the brake I waited until I was within 5 feet before applying my brakes stopping ~2 feet bumper to bumper. The system never prompted with an "Error" nor did it Alarm with a "Collision Warning". As everyone knows after applying the brakes you need to reset your speed control, but what I got was some type of Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available message on the instrument panel. This remained for the rest of my drive and only cleared after I stopped and turned OFF / ON the car. Then it worked for the rest of my drive.

I called and talked to my service manager and he recalled T/S a similar problem on an Expedition. We decided we'll address this problem along with the "Airbag Recall" and the TSB 22-2493 Hybrid Brake fix hopefully next week (needs to check parts availability for Airbag).

Has anyone else run into or has had a similar problem with their Adaptive Cruise Control?

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[JimParker256]

I wonder if the sensors were properly re-calibrated when the windshield was replaced? It is my understanding that this is a required step to ensure your ACC, Lane Centering, etc. will work properly. It makes sense because the camera is mounted up by the rear-view mirror, and is used in conjunction with the sensor behind the grill (radar? lidar? whatever?) to manage those responses.

Perhaps that's another item your dealer can check when it's in for the other services?

 

[commadorebob]

I'm not sure if it is related to the window as the ACC module is in the grill. But I'd have to see a circuit or dataflow diagram of the system to understand how everything works together.

But to answer your question, I have had my Escape with ACC for two and a half years and it has never failed me. It struggles with motorcycles, but I tend to be hypervigilant around them anyway.

 

[JimParker256]

On a separate note... I find that even when I set the "following distance" to the largest possible interval, the Maverick tends to brake a lot later (thus requiring a lot more braking action) than is comfortable for me...

It seems OK when traffic is moving, and I'm coming up behind another moving vehicle. But if I'm approaching a vehicle that is already stopped (such as at a red light or stop sign), it brakes late enough that I'm constantly thinking "It's not going to stop this time!"

I haven't tried this in wet / slippery conditions yet, but my gut feeling it that it would not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting the already stopped vehicle...

As a result, I tend to just do my own braking when approaching a stopped vehicle, or one that is moving significantly slower than I am... Then once I'm ready to go again, I'll just use the accelerator to start the Mav moving, then press the "resume" button to re-engage the ACC.

 

[glpuckett]

I wonder if the sensors were properly re-calibrated when the windshield was replaced? It is my understanding that this is a required step to ensure your ACC, Lane Centering, etc. will work properly. It makes sense because the camera is mounted up by the rear-view mirror, and is used in conjunction with the sensor behind the grill (radar? lidar? whatever?) to manage those responses.

Perhaps that's another item your dealer can check when it's in for the other services?

That's why I mentioned the Windshield replacement. Sean (service manager) and I talked about whether or not calibration was required when it was being replaced, so they were aware and obviously have to follow Fords procedures. In my recent call with him we both brought this up again so we'll see. Additionally, when he spoke about the Expedition; that had a similar problem, the T/S'ing took some time, but in the end they replaced the module. However, I didn't ask what module... What I do know is he's expecting multiple days and wants to reserve a good loaner car for me

 

[glpuckett]

On a separate note... I find that even when I set the "following distance" to the largest possible interval, the Maverick tends to brake a lot later (thus requiring a lot more braking action) than is comfortable for me...

It seems OK when traffic is moving, and I'm coming up behind another moving vehicle. But if I'm approaching a vehicle that is already stopped (such as at a red light or stop sign), it brakes late enough that I'm constantly thinking "It's not going to stop this time!"

I haven't tried this in wet / slippery conditions yet, but my gut feeling it that it would not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting the already stopped vehicle...

As a result, I tend to just do my own braking when approaching a stopped vehicle, or one that is moving significantly slower than I am... Then once I'm ready to go again, I'll just use the accelerator to start the Mav moving, then press the "resume" button to re-engage the ACC.

I mostly agree in that I do not turn it on and never manually use my brakes. For me this happens mostly when a car slowwwllly moves into my lane (typically in stop-and-go traffic) the system doesn't seem to recognize this situation in an adequate time for my comfort. One other situation that I tend to take over braking is when traffic comes to an abrupt stop... I can feel the ACC starting to work, but I don't want to NOT have control over what happens next!

 

[JimParker256]

I can feel the ACC starting to work, but I don't want to NOT have control over what happens next!

Amen to that! It seems to arrive a bit "late to the party" and doesn't feel like it's braking hard early enough... I'd rather over-brake early in the cycle, then back off a bit towards the end... The programmed response seems to be 180º out of phase with my preferences!

 

[glpuckett]

During a long Freeway drive to LAX I experienced an alarming surprise when my "Adaptive Cruise Control" failed to brake. First, I always drive being prepared to brake, but I admit after many months I have gained both trust and confidence in the system and think of it as a 2nd set of eyes always watching the road. I've also learned to feel when and how the system begins to brake, so when it didn't I was surprised but ready.

For the record I have the First Edition Hybrid Maverick with just over 13K miles and I've had (1) repair that may or may not have anything to do with this problem. Back in Aug'22 I had my front windshield warranty replaced for a "Stress crack".

Situation:
I was in stop-and-go traffic for ~15min with the A.C.C. system set at 20mph (as I've done many times before) and everything was working great as normal. Then all of a sudden as I was slowly coming up on a Tesla and expecting my Mav to begin braking... it didn't. With my foot over the brake I waited until I was within 5 feet before applying my brakes stopping ~2 feet bumper to bumper. The system never prompted with an "Error" nor did it Alarm with a "Collision Warning". As everyone knows after applying the brakes you need to reset your speed control, but what I got was some type of Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available message on the instrument panel. This remained for the rest of my drive and only cleared after I stopped and turned OFF / ON the car. Then it worked for the rest of my drive.

I called and talked to my service manager and he recalled T/S a similar problem on an Expedition. We decided we'll address this problem along with the "Airbag Recall" and the TSB 22-2493 Hybrid Brake fix hopefully next week (needs to check parts availability for Airbag).

Has anyone else run into or has had a similar problem with their Adaptive Cruise Control?

UPDATE:
My service manager just got back with me regarding "Recall" parts he ordered and received the following:

SSSC (special Service Center) will only be accepting orders for unsold vehicles with a signed sales contract and for customer deliver vehicles with a defective or deployed side curtain airbag. At this time we do not have an adequate supply of parts to repair all affected vehicles. Dealers will be notified via a DOES ll

It seems that they should prioritize trucks on the road NOT trucks sitting in a parking lot that can't be sold due to the "Recall". Bottom line for me is do I wait or not to look into the other two items. I guess I'll wait... the brakes I've gotten used to and the ACC issue hasn't happened again nor has the "ACC Not Available" message appeared again. I'm just more conscious & prepared when I use it.

 

[colinl]

Sorry to hear about your ACC issue. It could be related to the windshield replacement. My understanding is that ACC uses the camera there as well as the radar sensor. However, there might *not* be any fault to be found, and instead it's more an issue of an imperfect technology and given enough miles you'll encounter situations where things didn't work as expected. That's why it isn't fully autonomous driving, and it's just cruise control with some enhanced functionality.

BTW in regards to the airbag recall, they were not doing them at all until January and all trucks that were on sale hold should have been resolved already. Affected trucks were built before 7/10/22 which was a very long time ago. People have been getting the recall done and you get a Yeti water bottle for your trouble.

I haven't done mine yet but I'm going to ask about it my next service (which is in a week).

 

[glpuckett]

Sorry to hear about your ACC issue. It could be related to the windshield replacement. My understanding is that ACC uses the camera there as well as the radar sensor. However, there might be any fault to be found, and instead it's more an issue of an imperfect technology and given enough miles you'll encounter situations where things didn't work as expected. That's why it isn't fully autonomous driving, and it's just cruise control with some enhanced functionality.

BTW in regards to the airbag recall, they were not doing them at all until January and all trucks that were on sale hold should have been resolved already. Affected trucks were built before 7/10/22 which was a very long time ago. People have been getting the recall done and you get a Yeti water bottle for your trouble.

I haven't done mine yet but I'm going to ask about it my next service (which is in a week).

Yeah, I'll just feel a little better having my dealer checking it out and T/S'ing to see if there's a problem or just a calibration required. If the original problem was the "ERROR" message 1st and then disabled the ACC... OK, but w/o warning to all of a sudden NOT recognize a car is a bit distressing. However, in the end I haven't & will never completely trust Autonomous driving systems or functions.

As far as the recall, I'm in that category (Jan. 2022 build).

 

[shrek]

During a long Freeway drive to LAX I experienced an alarming surprise when my "Adaptive Cruise Control" failed to brake. First, I always drive being prepared to brake, but I admit after many months I have gained both trust and confidence in the system and think of it as a 2nd set of eyes always watching the road. I've also learned to feel when and how the system begins to brake, so when it didn't I was surprised but ready.

For the record I have the First Edition Hybrid Maverick with just over 13K miles and I've had (1) repair that may or may not have anything to do with this problem. Back in Aug'22 I had my front windshield warranty replaced for a "Stress crack".

Situation:
I was in stop-and-go traffic for ~15min with the A.C.C. system set at 20mph (as I've done many times before) and everything was working great as normal. Then all of a sudden as I was slowly coming up on a Tesla and expecting my Mav to begin braking... it didn't. With my foot over the brake I waited until I was within 5 feet before applying my brakes stopping ~2 feet bumper to bumper. The system never prompted with an "Error" nor did it Alarm with a "Collision Warning". As everyone knows after applying the brakes you need to reset your speed control, but what I got was some type of Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available message on the instrument panel. This remained for the rest of my drive and only cleared after I stopped and turned OFF / ON the car. Then it worked for the rest of my drive.

I called and talked to my service manager and he recalled T/S a similar problem on an Expedition. We decided we'll address this problem along with the "Airbag Recall" and the TSB 22-2493 Hybrid Brake fix hopefully next week (needs to check parts availability for Airbag).

Has anyone else run into or has had a similar problem with their Adaptive Cruise Control?

Not gonna speculate on such an old thread. But Maybe Just Maybe the TESLA radar confused the Maverick. FORD is years behind the TESLA. Just a thought. Again; sorry for being so late to the party. But with computers and sensors I DO NOT EVER fully trust computer logic. Maybe I am paranoid due to Being a Computer Security Guy. Is there an update to what FORD did to fix this?

 

[BradnChristine]

I'm not sure if it is related to the window as the ACC module is in the grill. But I'd have to see a circuit or dataflow diagram of the system to understand how everything works together.

But to answer your question, I have had my Escape with ACC for two and a half years and it has never failed me. It struggles with motorcycles, but I tend to be hypervigilant around them anyway.

Altho the ACC unit is in the grill, I think the AEB is up on the windshield. I also wish there was a lot more info about "data flow" in the manual. Both for this and the "Deep Sleep" process.

 

[glpuckett]

Not gonna speculate on such an old thread. But Maybe Just Maybe the TESLA radar confused the Maverick. FORD is years behind the TESLA. Just a thought. Again; sorry for being so late to the party. But with computers and sensors I DO NOT EVER fully trust computer logic. Maybe I am paranoid due to Being a Computer Security Guy. Is there an update to what FORD did to fix this?

I want to say that they replaced the unit in the front grill but I don't remember now. I do know that they performed a S/W update. After the original failure it occurred a couple of more times before I was able to get it to my dealer. My service manager was very responsive to my issue and made sure to do whatever was needed to fix the problem. I have not had this problem return as of yet, so that makes it about 1 year now. Additionally, I would also add that I mostly only use the A.C.C. on the freeway during long drives. In SoCal you get too many drivers that like to cut in front of you suddenly with very little space...

 

[shrek]

I want to say that they replaced the unit in the front grill but I don't remember now. I do know that they performed a S/W update. After the original failure it occurred a couple of more times before I was able to get it to my dealer. My service manager was very responsive to my issue and made sure to do whatever was needed to fix the problem. I have not had this problem return as of yet, so that makes it about 1 year now. Additionally, I would also add that I mostly only use the A.C.C. on the freeway during long drives. In SoCal you get too many drivers that like to cut in front of you suddenly with very little space...

Thank you for the update! I am glad that everything seems better. I wonder what they applied. Just curious as again; Radar is radar, maybe the signals get crossed. I am not smart enough to know if there is a distinct code in the signal that says "This is MINE, And that is your signal"
I know that aircraft have that but if the Mavericks do I am not sure. Again Glad yur GTG for now!

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